The Science of Sledding

What do you need to go sledding? You need a sled. You need snow. Is that all?

Sit on your sled. What happens? Nothing! You need a push or pull to make you go!

Photo Credit: majatoni/Shutterstock

A big hill makes sledding more fun. Gravity pulls you down the hill. You go faster!

Photo Credit: Imgorhand/E+/Getty Images

How fast will you go? How far will you go? That depends on friction. Friction is a push that slows you down. It pushes against the sled. It makes you stop. There is more friction when the snow is rough. There is less when it is smooth.

What Can You Do? How could you make your sled go faster?

Photo Credit: Imgorthand/E+/Getty Images